be nice. | Four Simple Steps to Recognize Depression and Prevent Suicide
The conversation surrounding mental health, illness and suicide prevention can prove complicated for communities to enter into as an upstream, united front. be nice. is an evidence based, upstream education program with an action plan. The initiative has been proven to offer schools, athletic departments, businesses and communities the opportunity to have common language when it comes to upstream, midstream, and downstream mental health, illness and suicide prevention. be nice. offers knowledge to all community members through peer-to-peer education, which provides the confidence for individuals to take action when it comes to mental health. be nice. School, be nice. Business, be nice. Community and, most recently, be nice. Team – athletes, coaching staff and families, united by sport, having conversations about mental health, illness and suicide prevention with four simple steps: notice, invite, challenge and empower.
Wolverine Support Network | Utilizing and Adapting our Peer Support Model to Target Specific Student Needs
The Mental Health crisis on students of all ages has been hard to combat and there tends to be a plethora of barriers that keep students from accessing resources. Sarah and I will be talking about who and what Wolverine Support Network is and how our peer support model has supported students navigating various facets of their lives. We will also look at how Group works and how we prepare our leaders to have conversations with their members.
Ele’s Place | How to Support Grieving Students
This workshop will enhance school staff’s understanding of children and adolescent grief and how to support a grieving student in the school environment. We will focus on practical ways that school staff can support grieving students and will provide activities and resources that can be used in the school setting.
Forest View Psychiatric Hospital | Trauma-Informed Education Systems
Our presentation will cover an overview of “trauma,” how trauma can present in educational settings, what a “trauma-informed” school could look like, and case studies illustrating the implementation of trauma-informed systems and education.
NAMI | Ending the Silence
A program that educates middle and high school students, teachers and parents about mental health conditions, warning signs, and how to seek help. Ending the Silence is a free, evidence-based, 50-minute session designed for middle and high school students. Your students will learn about mental health conditions through a brief presentation, short videos, and personal testimony from a young adult who describes their journey to recovery.
Inner Explorer
We will share the neuroscience, data, and platform for an inside-out approach to mental health, academic achievement, and school safety that is transforming over 3000 school communities across the country!
Michigan Virtual | The Power (and Resources) to Impact Social and Emotional Development
In this engaging and practical session, you will explore social and emotional learning supports available to your district (many at no cost). You will discover life skills and mental health resources, including expert-curated online lessons for students and educator courses designed in partnership with statewide leadership organizations. Join us as we dive into the critical importance of this work and identify ways you can make a powerful impact.
Work2BeWell | Emotional First Aid Kit
Work2BeWell is a teen driven program sponsored by Providence Health providing mental health and wellness resources and tools to help activate and empower teen and educators to increase their emotional well-being. We will be showcasing our resources as well as teaching our Emotional First Aid Kit lesson which can also be used in student-led in announcements, advisory/homeroom classes, or workshops.
Digital4Good x #ICANHELP | Commitment Issues – Break the Bad Cycle
Do you find yourself having Commitment issues as a leader? Either take on too many things or don’t know the next steps so you choose to avoid it instead. We will discuss how to break some bad habits of self sabotage. Learn how to be consistent and follow through with your visions and goals. There is no immediate relief or solution when creating impactful change. End the cycle of running away from fear of failure and let’s create an action plan that will help you hit deadlines to make a meaningful change.
MDHHS | Staying Well after the Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has been ended as a national emergency; however, school staff and students are still suffering the impacts of the pandemic, including continued mental health distress after years of uncertainty and disruption. The prospect of imminent or ongoing distress at acquiring the virus and implications of long-covid also remain at the forefront of many educators and student thinking as we continue to adapt to routines and expectations for what the future can and should hold. In this presentation, participants will be refreshed on the mental health implications of Covid and long-Covid and learn ways to cope with the mental distress of experiencing the virus. This presentation will highlight the many free options for student and staff wellness that are available on the Stay Well website, with ideas and feedback for how they might be incorporated into a school setting.
Fenton High School | Making Mental Health Accessible
This presentation aims to bring awareness to opportunities that exist for schools to incorporate and attain mental health services and agencies into their buildings. We will examine Fenton High School as a case study to discuss our growing partnership with Easterseals MORC, our successes and aspirations, and our mission to destigmatize mental health and the taboos that are often associated with it. Join us to learn more about our systematic approach, our ability to make services accessible, and to bring awareness to our district stakeholders. Presenters include: School Based Behavioral Health Clinician – Easterseals MORC- Leann Buffmyer Fenton High School Assistant Principal- Zach Bradley
Northview Public Schools | 7 ways social media and technology fuel student health, happiness, and future success
Social media can often lead to expulsions, drama, and lawsuits — all while schools play whack-a-mole and worry about the next negative trend among students. What if, instead of being reactive, your school proactively empowered students to use social media positively? What if you could empower and equip students, rather than scare and restrict them? Join this session to learn how Northview Public Schools is empowering students to: – Represent their core values and character in whatever post, text, or video they share – Find positive role models and mentors that align with their interests and goals – Enhance their online presence and privacy settings as they prepare for the college admissions or job application processes
West Bloomfield High School | UMatter Week
UMatter Week is a student-led week-long initiative to address mental health concerns and support student wellbeing. With the help of staff and administration, student leaders take the lead on uplifting the school community in efforts to create an environment that reminds students that each one of them matters immensely.
Howell High School | HopeSquad – Be a light to yourself and others
Howell Highschool is one of the first High Schools in Michigan to implement this peer to peer intervention to break stigma, train, and equip students to know how to support their peers who are struggling with Mental Wellness and thoughts of suicide. We have found this program to be powerful in saving lives and we want to share with our Michigan Peers!
Dakota High School | Starting and Sustaining a GSA in your school
Having a Gender and Sexuality Alliance in your building helps all students build community, empathy, and connectedness to your school. This session will explain exactly what a GSA is, why you need one, and how to advocate to build one this year!
The JED Foundation | Becoming a Mental Health Advocate at my School
The purpose of this training is to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to actively collaborate with their school’s staff in evaluating and enhancing the mental health support systems within their school.
Mental Health Summit Breakout Topics
Break out those school assessment surveys and identify which focus areas your school plans to focus on for the 2023-24 school year. This document will serve as your roadmap for selecting which breakout sessions your team plans to attend live and which ones can be viewed at a later time.
A call for presentations will go out seeking schools with programming in place to share their best practice on the following topics:
- Community Resources & Support Networks
- Stress Release, Mindfulness and School/life Balance
- Effects of Digital Media
- Supporting Students with Chronic Health Issues
- Supporting Students with a Mental Illness Diagnosis
- Depression/Anxiety
- Suicide Awareness and Responsiveness
- Trauma Informed Schools/ACES programming
- Addiction: Indicators and Prevention
Have a great school program or topic to share? We want to hear from you!
Call for Presenter Form (Seeking both Middle Level and High School submissions)
